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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Rewire Cabin Lights

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joreilly
Deckhand

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6 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/10/2004 : 23:55:26

I purchased a 81 cat 25 a few months ago and now I want to replace the all of the wiring. I had no problems with the AC system, but the DC wires seems to be more difficult. I removed the existing lights and pulled on the wires (to see if they were loose enough to help fish the new wires) and they seems to be fixed. Does anyone know if the wires are fiberglassed into the roof or otherwise secured somehow?

I did some searching on this forum and didn't see anyone else who has had this problem.

Thanks!

John
# 2528

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2004 : 00:20:38

John,<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I purchased a 81 cat 25 a few months ago...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Congratulations, and welcome to the greatest source of Catalina 25 experience and knowledge on the Web.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">...want to replace all of the wiring ... removed the existing lights and pulled on the wires ... Does anyone know if the wires are fiberglassed into the roof, or otherwise secured somehow?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Yes, they are fiberglassed in, and cannot be removed.

I rewired my entire 1979 Catalina 25 except for the port side cabin lights. In fact, in one case where other work resulted in accidently cutting the wiring for the cabin lights at the galley fixture, I carefully dug into the headliner, extracted the damaged end of the wire, and spliced onto it. I then repaired the excavated headliner. for the mast lights, I installed a new 5-cond cable run and deck connector, and then abandoned the original wiring in place. Likewise for the forward navigation lights.

I hope you've read up on boat wiring, and are taking this opportunity to significantly upgrade your C-25 electrical system -- I sure did!

If you have additional questions, please don't hesitate to ask us.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2004 : 13:37:37

Everyone has this problem .... you're not alone. Fiberglassing the wires in the deck was a terrible design choice.

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Steve Shetter
1st Mate

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USA
60 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2004 : 15:11:13

I am about to install a docking light on the bow rail of "At Last", and have been told that I could run the electrical wires through the bow rail into the hull, the aft from there. Does that sound right to you folks? I have a couple of questions regarding how to do this... if it is feasible: is the bow rail connector (at the deck) hollow, or will I have to drill it out and reinstall it?; how do I fish the new wire around the cabin to the port coaming compartment?; would it be better to install the light on the mast, 8' - 10' above the deck and run the wires inside the mast? My only concern about mounting the light on the mast (or anywhere behind the bow rail is reflection of light off the deck in a dark harbor. I'm afraid that the reflection would be too blinding and would negate the benefits of having the lights. The lights that I got are made by Peterson and were advertised as "Anderson Ion Fog Lights". They are marine application lights, about 1 7/8" tall and 5 3/4 wide.

Wow! I thought this would be an easy improvement!

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2004 : 15:43:13

Steve,<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">... is the bow rail connector (at the deck) hollow, or will I have to drill it out and reinstall it?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> I've had the pulpit off my 1979 C-25, and I don't remember the mounting pads at the deck having a central hole into the tubing. Removing and reinstalling the pulpit would be a good opportunity to over drill and epoxy fill all its mounting holes in the deck. <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">How do I fish the new wire around the cabin to the port coaming compartment?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I can think of a couple of possibilities. Stuff it behind that teak trim strip along the hull to deck seam. For my rewired bow nav lights, I ran the wire down into the forepeak locker, under the V-berth along the stbd side, under the head sink cabinet, behind the stbd settee backrest, and into the quarterberth where my elec. panel is now. A similar route exists on the port side of the boat.<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Would it be better to install the light on the mast, 8'-10' above the deck and run the wires inside the mast? My only concern about mounting the light on the mast (or anywhere behind the bow rail) is reflection of light off the deck in a dark harbor.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">That's sort of what I did, and it works great.

I installed a combination steaming & foredeck light just above the spreaders where the original steaming light was. The 20W halogen bulb lights up the forward 2/3 of the deck. The shadow of the mast keeps the light out of the cockpit. It's bright enough to be very helpful at night, whether docking, anchoring, or messing with headsails. Also, if you want to be sure an approaching vessel sees you, the foredeck light will light up the lower half of your jib like a billboard!

The well shaped downward cone of light doesn't fan out very far to the sides. The light reflected upward from the deck also doesn't shine brightly to the sides.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

Steve Shetter
1st Mate

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USA
60 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2004 : 20:51:26

Leon,

I already have a "masthead" and steaming light combination mounted where yours is located, and wired into the original(?) wiring harness. Now what I'm trying to do is install another light to be used primarily for docking (at night

). If I mount it on the front of the mast, my question becomes, once again, How do I get it to the port coaming compartment? I am VERY reluctant to start drilling holes (above or below the water line) on a boat that floats very well. That's like jumping out of an airplane that flys perfectly well!!

If I follow my passion and mount it on the pulpit, the question becomes, How did you fish the wire under the v-berth and unde the settee? Did you use an electricains fish tape? Sorry to be so dense, but this is my first experience with sailboats and the learning curve is still a vertical line!!

Edited by - on

GeorgeB
1st Mate

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90 Posts

Response Posted - 03/15/2004 : 11:59:39

On my '80 the bow pulpit is solid at the mounting pad. You have to drill it out tp do wat you want. If you decide to use the forward leg of the pulpit, you'll also need to drill a hole at the joint between the leg and the top rail. Drilling the joint from the back side allowed me the fish the wires through. Remember you will be creating some sharp edges where the wires pass into the top rail. You'll need to protect the wires from vibration. I used a dab of sealant to close the hole and serve as a grommet. Might just be easier to sue the aft leg of the pulpit and run the wires up from in the Vee berth

Edited by - on

Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 03/15/2004 : 14:50:07

John, I just installed a spot light facing forward on my starboard spreader. I did this for the same reason you discribed; dark coves, dark marina, dark everything for these tired, old eyes.

To answer the wiring question. You will need to add capacity at the plug for the mast to boat connection. I have added three lights to the mast; Anchor light, Windex light, and the forward spot light. I purchaced a six wire plug from my local hardware store along with an eight wire cable. I actually needed 7 wires, 6 lights and one ground. You will need to drill out the old recepticle on the cabin top. You will be abandoning these wires. Drill from the top angling the bit forward to miss the mast post and to come out just forward of the bulkhead above the head. From there you can run your cable around the top and hull side of the bulkhead and then drill a hole thru the bulkhead into the storage area under the port seat. This is where you will need to be creative to fish the cable to the lazarett and the back of the electrical panel. I also installed a new electrical panel on the starboard side of the boat so I ran the new cable over the the head passage, down the bulkhead and into the area under the starboad seat. I can switch the spot light on from inside the combing box. The only problem I have had is the head sail sweeps across and bumps the light around. I will make a protector so the sail can move across without touching the light.

By getting the light up high there is very little backward reflection. Mounting on the bow pulpit is a good idea, just try to protect it by putting it near a joint with a stantion. I do get some reflection back off of the furling jib. It is difficult to tell all the steps to this project, so if you have any specific questions, just ask.

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